Viscosity Standard FAQ

Viscosity Standards FAQ

All your burning questions about Viscosity Standards Answered.

For more information, please select a topic from the list below.

• Why do I need a viscosity standard?
• How often do I need to replace my viscosity standard?
• How many viscosity standards do I need?
• Should I use silicone oil or mineral oil?
• My fluid has a viscosity value that is not part of your standard fluids listing, what should I do?
• Where can I see a full list of available viscosity standards?

Why Do I Need A Viscosity Standard?

Viscosity standards are used to check the accuracy of your viscometer. Silicone and Mineral Oil Standards provide you with a fluid viscosity value that is constant at 25°C, making calibration verification easy to establish. Standards are a traceable part of calibration verification - an important component of many certifying quality systems like ISO, ASHTO, etc.

Special order Silicone fluids are also available with specified viscosity values at temperatures between 10°C and 80°C.

How often do I need to replace my viscosity standard?

For optimum performance of your instrument, viscosity standards should be replaced on an annual basis.

How Many Viscosity Standards Do I Need?

Generally one or two is sufficient. Select a fluid with a viscosity value that fits the measuring range of the spindle and speed that you use most often.

Should I Use Silicone Or Mineral Oil Viscosity Standards?

This choice is dependent on your product. Silicone is used most often because it is less temperature sensitive. Some manufacturers, such as the paint industry, cannot have silicone in their process, so mineral oil becomes the choice.

The following are recommendations for Brookfield Viscosity Standards:

Silicone

All viscometers using regular spindles, Small Sample Adapters and UL Adapters

High Temperature Silicone (HT)

All viscometers using the Thermosel accessory and Controllers

Mineral Oil

Krebs Oil Fluids are for use with the KU series viscometers
CAP fluids for CAP series viscometers
Special Purpose Mineral Oil
Encouraged for Wells/Brookfield Cone/Plate Viscometers

My Fluid Has A Viscosity That Is Not Part Of The Standard Fluids Listing, What Should I Do?

The viscosity of your sample fluid is typically of little importance when checking the accuracy of your Brookfield Viscometer, because:

1. your fluid may be non-Newtonian, so the viscosity will change; Viscosity Standard fluids will not change with time or shear (rpm), making the calibration check more definable
2. your Viscometer is no more or less accurate at one range (rpm and spindle) than the next; if the Viscometer passes at one range, it can be considered to be calibrated throughout its entire range

.........with this in mind, you probably don't need a special order blend fluid

Where Can I See a Full List of Available Viscosity Standards?

Our full range can be viewed on the Viscosity Standards section of our website. If you have a need that is not covered in this range, please contact our Sales Team. You can see the full Brookfield Ametek Viscometer range on our website, as well.

Also, be sure to check out our article on how Viscosity Standards Help to Avoid Production Downtimes.

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